Search results for 'asheville, nc'

A stroll down the National Mall in Washington D.C. is captivating. Flowers bloom all around as children enjoy the smell of freshly cut grass. National landmarks surround the grand avenue sprinkled with museums and gardens. The Potomac River flows into the Tidal Basin surrounded by cherry blossom trees. This is the first sight many think of as Washington D.C., a powerful city filled with history. I know it as a city of opulence and splendor.

Your head starts singing on such mentions, and the first time you see Rome, you know you'll be back. Yes, of course, go to the Fontana di Trevi, and throw your coins in the fountain to guarantee your return. So many old traditions and customs, Rome is an amazing mix of the truly ancient mixed in with 21^st Century kids, technology, architecture - and it all works somehow.

FLORENCE - MAJESTIC PLACE OF THE  BIRTH OF THE  ITALIAN RENAISSANCE. HOME TO THE MEDICIS - LORENZO THE MAGNIFICENT and all those other famous men, and even CATHERINE de MEDICI, later to be Queen of France. It is where Machiavelli wrote his tale of political backstabbing and maneuvering  - THE PRINCE.  And where Michelangelo left lasting treasures in the streets, squares and museums of this medieval living Museum.

Come Back to Jamaica... used to be the popular theme song of Air Jamaica. With its mouthwatering views of the island, the happy singing and dancing islanders, and the perfect weather to lure you, of course you're going back!

America's East Coast Riviera, that's how locals feel about the Hamptons.Then again, there are locals, and locals.  The real locals are the people of Long Island who live in the Hamptons year around.  The other "locals" are rich owners and renters who inhabit from May till September.  New Yorkers, for some strange reason, have come to regard summer as that time between Memorial Day (third Monday in May), and Labor Day, first Monday in September.  So, every piece of action is crammed into three oh so short, super-revved up months of summer.

For those of us who always considered ourselves travelers, and never tourists, this part of our lives is even more luxurious because we have so much more money to spend!!!  Hey, there has to be some advantages in getting older - aging gracefully - call it what you wish, but here are a few tips for you to follow when traveling anywhere in the world.

I love history - mostly European and English I confess. The grandeur, the splendor, the architecture, the "location," are all modern marvels. Except some of the greatest examples of extraordinary vision, architecture, paintings, design, landscape gardens were created centuries ago.  How did they do it then without design apps and computer programs? Without villages of people sitting around sewing, stitching, creating tapestries that tell vivid stories. How did...? There really is no answer, so, when you've spent a few days in Paris, had your fill of city-life, hop aboard a TGV train and speed away to the Loire Valley.  And the magic will engulf you.

Few destinations are as charming and poetic as Salzburg, Austria.  This cherished city, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site, has no end of enchanting qualities.  Flowing rivers, snow-capped Alps, baroque architecture, castles, cathedrals, and a preserved “Old Town” transport you back in time.  It is home to one of the world’s most beloved composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.  Every summer, the city hosts the Salzburg Music Festival, a renowned celebration of music and drama, to honor their favorite son.  The Von Trapp family, from the beloved film The Sound of Music, also calls this city home.  Throughout Salzburg, you will recognize churches, gardens, and castles featured in the picture.  You may even hear Julie Andrews’ voice echoing from the hills themselves.  

Steeped in history, Boston is the manifestation of America’s beginnings. It is also, albeit conversely, an allusion to its future. It is home to institutions on the cutting edge of technological and intellectual innovation. It is bursting at the seams with young, dynamic students from every corner of the globe – people who will one day lead the world. This unique mix of the charm of yesterday and the power of tomorrow is a delight to all who encounter The Bean. 

The ancient name Constantinople merges seamlessly with the modern name ISTANBUL. An International City at the crossroads of the West and Europe, and the East and Asia. A City that pulsates with life, and tension, and an undercurrent of danger.

Because of its breathtaking beauty and grandeur, Venice is a place that makes you decide whether to spend most of your time outdoors, taking in the unparalleled beauty of the City.  Or, you still have a passion to traipse through Museums, Art Galleries, Churches/Basilicas or other cultural/historical buildings. 

Eilat on the northern tip of the Red Sea, is home to luxury resorts and breathtaking panoramic views. Israelis will tell you, Eilat is the land of domestic vacationers and international tourist. So come relax, rejuvenate and indulge in the city’s remarkable resorts and spas and experience royalty in the Middle East. 

Hong Kong, known as Asia’s World City, is an intricate mix of the cosmopolitan and traditional. Its breathtaking modern skyline acts as a dramatic backdrop for the ancient temples and fishing jetties, which haven't changed for more than a thousand years. The city is an exciting and dynamic destination offering a wide array of things to see and do. Even the most discerning and adventurous travelers will be thrilled by the experience.

Aloha and Maholo! The natives welcome you to the beautiful island of Maui, the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands. The unique landscape is home to volcanoes, valleys and rainforests creating the ultimate paradise. From the moment you land Maui will take your breath away. 

The next time you’re picking between sipping rose on the beach, trekking up a lush mountainside and journeying through wine-country – stop. Don’t pick at all. Travel to Cape Town and get a taste of all three. Nestled between the Table Mountain and the Table Bay, this South African city is bursting with beautiful people. It boasts a plethora of different cultures, architectural styles and neighborhoods to keep you well satiated through your visit.  Whether you stay at Sol Kerzner’s unapologetically opulent One & Only, the majestic Mount Nelson Hotel or the quirky Hemingway House, warmth and charming hospitality await you. 

It often feels like holidays are becoming more jam-packed with things to do than the average workweek. If you’re tired of traipsing between monuments and mountains and feel in dire need of a long swig of rum punch - head to Jamaica.  Aside from being a stunning island with lush jungles and beaches, Jamaica is a state of mind.  People are happy, appreciative of life and quite literally ever-smiling.  Things on the island operate at a pace that would drive any true-blue New Yorker half insane, but that's the charm. 

NICE is the arrival and departure point for the South of France, but that's what you should consider it to be and not a real stopping off point.  Nice is France's third largest City, is industrial by work, and a new City which grew up around an old City.   And, that's the nicest part of NICE, the old port area.

Just like the American Great Lakes, there are several of note in Italy, and we'll visit them.But, let's take a first look at Lake Como, in English and American, but the more romantic - Lago di Como in Italian. Whilst it has been a popular tourist destination for many years, with the advent of George Clooney and his villa full of Hollywood friends, Lago di Como is a paparazzi mecca. 

When was the first time, or the last time you saw Paris? But all those wonderful songs go humming through your mind as you stroll on the Champs Elysee. Wherever you are in Paris, you're walking through History. Streets and Parks that were created for Kings, Palaces that are now Museums, art galleries that hold the finest examples of art from centuries ago to the latest art from the sidewalks of Paris.

Barcelona – The Capital of the province Catalina.  Catalina consists of four provinces, Barcelona, Girona, Lledia and Tarragonia. During the 1960’s Catalina went through what is known as the “Spanish Miracle” which was the economic boom that really put Barcelona on the map. This miracle brought about improved living standards and an even bigger middle class in all of Spain. 

AUTUMN IN NEW YORK, may spell the thrill of First Nighting for we New Yorkers. But Autumn in New York is an outdoor person's dream.  Especially in the Hamptons, where the mixture of sea, sand, dunes, grass, fields and forests show a glorious display of  Fall colors.

Its name will live in history, as it has for almost 2,000 years. But, given the pop culture of our society, it is getting ready to become even more famous as a Royal visitor will one day soon set foot on the soil of Malta.

The Czech capital is a small city, but don’t let its size fool you. From an infamous 5-storeyed nightclub to some of the most breathtaking castles in the world – Praha will leave you swooning. There are innumerable ways to explore the city – on foot, bike or segway or even in a majestic vintage car. Whatever your choice of transport might be, the awe-inspiring Prague Castle and the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral are not to be missed. 

Puerto Vallarta – located just below the Sierra Madre Mountains on the Pacific Ocean’s Bahia de Banderas where the states of Jalisco and Nayarit meet. There are beaches with sand so white it looks like it was poured fresh out of an hourglass. Time almost stands still in this place that is noted as the friendliest city in the world. Enough about the lesson in geography – the reason this place is on the map is because of Elizabeth Taylor! Elizabeth’s affair with Richard Burton was highly publicized in the 1960’s.